Overview
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) has successfully integrated national clinical guidelines into its Altera Digital Health electronic patient record (EPR) system to enhance the Acute Abdomen Pathway.
Key Improvements
- Integration of National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) guidance into the Sunrise EPR.
- Achieved 100% compliance with documentation standards for the Acute Abdomen Pathway.
- Increased the percentage of urgent CT scans reported within one hour from 41% to 76%.
- Full completion of age and complex medicine reviews for high-risk patients.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and quality of care.
Comments from Leadership
Petro Bekker, Chief Nurse Information Officer at WWL, stated: “The digital transformation of our Acute Abdomen Pathway within the Sunrise EPR platform has demonstrated improved compliance with best practice documentation and guidance, prompting clinicians to follow protocols based on patient presentations.”
Challenges Addressed
Previously, the Acute Abdomen Pathway relied on paper processes, which led to:
- Inconsistent communication.
- Delays in patient care.
- Variations in treatment quality.
System Enhancements
The updated EPR system now offers:
- Decision support at the point of care with NELA guidance.
- One-click CT ordering for urgent cases.
- Integration of NELA mortality risk scoring.
- Prioritization of urgent scans through radiology integration.
- Support for referrals to specialist teams.
Future Plans
WWL aims to expand the role of NELA nurses to further enhance patient recovery and feedback mechanisms. The initiative has already received recognition, winning the ‘Best Audit and Quality Improvement’ award at the trust’s Clinical Audit Best Practice event.
Partnership with Altera Digital Health
Mark Hutchinson, Executive Vice President at Altera Digital Health, expressed pride in the partnership with WWL, highlighting how the flexibility of the Sunrise EPR platform has facilitated significant improvements in patient safety and outcomes.
Expansion of EPR Systems
Altera Digital Health’s presence in the NHS is growing, with recent contracts awarded to implement EPR systems at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, aimed at improving patient flow across Greater Manchester.